Bouncers fear their livelihoods are at risk after delays in sending out new licences.

By December 13, all doormen must be registered with the Security Industry Authority, a Home Office department set up to deal with the estimated half-a-million people who work in the industry.

But as many as 10% of people applying for the status have not yet received their badges because of an administration error on the part of the examiners, NCFE - which could mean they aren't allowed to carry out their jobs.

Steve Howe, 37, runs Gosforth-based Phoenix Security, in Newcastle, which employs more than 200 doormen who keep customers in check at many of Newcastle's best known bars as well as others across the North East and Yorkshire.

A total of 91 of his staff are still anxiously waiting their badges and Mr Howe claims the process needs to be looked at urgently.

Mr Howe said: "The whole thing is a farce. We have to have the badge in order to be able to do our jobs and any delay makes a massive difference to us.

"First, we were told there had been a problem getting the exam papers out and then we heard the NCFE were having difficulties getting them marked.

"I've been waiting nearly seven weeks for mine and still haven't heard back. It's terrible because it's our busiest time of year for work.

"We have 91 people waiting so I can't see any way the whole of the North East can be ready for the December 13 deadline."

Doorman must sit a training course and pass an exam before receiving a certificate from the NCFE which includes an accreditation number. They must then apply to the SIA for their badge.

The new scheme replaces the previous system of bouncers needing a local authority licence, which was granted by the police and council.

Robert Buxton, of the Security Industry Authority, which is overseeing the new regulations, admits around a tenth of applications made through NCFE have been affected.

He said: "There have been a few problems with the examining body but they are being sorted out.

"From December it will be illegal to work as a doorman without the badge but we know who the people waiting are and police will be making efforts to help lessen any difficulties."

However, doormen with existing local authority licences are being granted a temporary reprieve - although people new to the profession will still be unable to work as they have no previous registration.

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police explained: "There is going to be a three month discretionary period where people with the old form of registration will be able to work."